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5 News AIR FORCE July 24, 2008 Recognising and rewarding you with subsidised Home Loans Defcredit DHOAS Advantage Home Loans can help you purchase or pay off your home sooner. These specially designed loans can provide you with monthly subsidies on your home loan repayments and exclusive savings not normally available on our standard home loans. So not only can you save on your repayments, but on your day-to-day banking, credit card and more.* To fi nd out more, call us on 1800 033 139, visit your local Defcredit branch or log on to www.defcredit.com.au *Terms and conditions apply. Defence Force Credit Union Limited ABN 57 087 651 385 AFSL 234582 DEF1330 AANN (07/08) By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton THE future of Air Force air-to-air refuelling and airlift is now being cre- ated at Brisbane Airport. The first Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) to be modi- fied to KC-30B status in Australia arrived in Brisbane on May 29. Due for delivery next year, it will become the second KC-30B in Australian service. The year-long conversion proc- ess is being carried out by Qantas Engineering. Its future home, 33SQN, is now close-by at RAAF Base Amberley, after relocating from RAAF Base Richmond following the retirement of the B707 on June 30. The squadron began oper- ating from its new base the next day. An induction ceremony for the A330 at Brisbane Airport on June 6 provided an opportunity for members of Qantas, EADS CASA, the Defence Materiel Organisation and Air Force to see the big aircraft up close. Also there to see the new jet was the KC-30B Transition Team's Amberley Detachment -- which officially became part of 33SQN on July 1 when the squadron moved on base. Their new CO, WGCDR Guy Wilson, was on board the Airbus when By FLGOFF Eamon Hamilton RETIREMENT of the B707 fleet has also meant retirement of the B707 simu- lator at 285SQN. A training unit for Air Lift Group, 285SQN took delivery of the simula- tor during its formation in 1999 and has operated the sim with support by CAE Australia, Pty Ltd. Taking its final 'flight' on June 25, the simulator was decommis- sioned before members of DMO, CAE, and the Air Force in a small ceremony. AIRCDRE Jack Plenty, Commander Air Lift Group, said the simulator had been in Air Force service since September 1999. "It became the first military flight simulator in the world to achieve a level- five simulator accreditation -- the highest level of civilian flight simulator fidelity," AIRCDRE Plenty said. Its retirement closes an interesting chapter in B707 training for the Air Force. When the original aircraft were pur- chased in 1979, crews had to travel to Hong Kong in order to use a B707 simu- lator owned by airline Cathay Pacific. In 1990, the Air Force determined a need for the acquisition of high-fidelity flight simulators, for all large aircraft to reduce the high fatigue placed on them during training sorties. A new flight simulator facility was completed and the new B707 simulator arrived at RAAF Base Richmond in 1998. The following year, the B707 simulator achieved CASA level-five accreditation. Former B707 flight engineer Ian Macgregor is now DMO's simulator logis- tics manager at 285SQN. He said in November 2003, the B707 and C130J simulators were formally accepted into Air Force service. "This event was only possible following the sat- isfaction of over 1000 simulator function and performance requirements. "Since then, 33SQN and 285SQN have enjoyed the faithful service of their B707 full-flight simulator with hardly a hic- cup," he said. "No simulator ever perfectly matches the aircraft it represents, however praise for the quality of the Air Force B707 simulator from pilots, flight engineers and ground crew has never ceased." Tanker takes shape it landed at Brisbane Airport. He reg- istered 10 hours in the co-pilot's seat during the two-leg flight from the Airbus factory in Toulouse, France to Brisbane. A former B707 captain, WGCDR Wilson said: "This is an exciting time for us because this aircraft will bring a considerable increase in capabil- ity for the Air Force. We're gathering a glimpse of what's to come." He will be among the first four Air Force pilots to undergo a Qantas A330 conversion course in September, con- ducting classroom lessons and simu- lator training before conducting 'line flying' on the A330 with Qantas for several months to gain experience. One member joked that the aircraft had come to Brisbane "brand new from the factory, only to be pulled apart into a thousand pieces and have holes cut into it". That process will require up to 100 workers at the Qantas Conversion Centre, which was refurbished for the task. The conversion includes structural changes for installation of a refuelling boom and receptacle, air-to-air refuel- ling pods, a new airborne refuelling operator station in the cockpit, and installation of military avionics. The Air Force's first KC-30B is entering the final stages of a four-year development program in Europe and is due to begin the final phase of its flight test program later this year. Director General Airlift and Training Systems for DMO, AIRCDRE Steve Drury, said: "The aircraft repre- sents the best capability for Air Force and best value for tax payers. The new tankers will greatly contribute to Australia's effective participation in allied and coalition operations." At 59m long and with a wingspan of 60m, the KC-30B will be the biggest aircraft operated by the Air Force. It will also bring about another leap in airlift capability available to the Air Force -- capable of transporting 270 passengers, 40 tonnes of cargo, or more than 100 tonnes of fuel. It will have twice the fuel offload performance than the former B707 when conducting air-to-air refuelling operations. B707 sim is retired after near decade SNEAK PEEK: CO 33SQN WGCDR Guy Wilson with the A330 aircraft at Brisbane Airport, where it is being converted by Qantas for Air Force service. Photo: LAC Scott Woodward LAST FLIGHT: Former CO 33SQN WGCDR Jim Ghee controls the 285SQN B707 simulator on a fly-past of Sydney Harbour during its decommissioning at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo: ACW Shannon Urie 33SQN prepares for exciting new future as first MRTT is converted